Modern apprenticeships requirements

The SSSC (as part of Skills for Care and Development), manages the modern apprenticeship frameworks for social services and healthcare (SSH) and social services (children and young people) (CYP).

In 2014 we worked closely with employers to implement a new qualification structure in order to bring the apprenticeships frameworks up to date. The frameworks now include apprenticeships at the modern and technical levels.

Modern/technical apprenticeships (MAs/TAs) offer people the chance of paid employment linked with the opportunity to train across the sector. These MAs/TAs help apprentices to gain qualifications for the skills they develop and to better meet the needs of people who use social services. They reflect the needs of the sector and are in line with Scottish Government’s Making Training Better and the qualification structure. If you are interested in undertaking a MA visit our modern apprenticeship page in our career section.

Information for training providers

The SSSC has frameworks at both modern and technical levels. All the frameworks are mapped to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and accredited by an awarding body. The frameworks available are:

We’ve designed these frameworks to provide an accessible and progressive approach to gaining appropriate skills for new workers and existing workers in social services. The changes to the frameworks and qualifications should help workers to move across the workforce. They provide for further flexibility both in employment and in careers.

Core skill level for communication, problem solving and working with others

Core skill level for numeracy and ICT

Social Services and Healthcare

2

SCQF 5

SCQF 4

Social Services and Healthcare

3

SCQF 6

SCQF 5

Social Services (Children and Young People)

3

SCQF 6

SCQF 5

These core skills have been set at appropriate levels in relation to the SCQF Framework. The core skills of communication, problem solving and working with others have been mapped against the mandatory units. The core skills of numeracy and information and communications technology (ICT) have been kept at the current levels and still require separate certification.

The existing framework in LMCS Level 4 (SCQF Level 10) will continue with the same level of core skills as previously identified and will continue as an MA framework.

Technical apprenticeships (TA)

TAs were developed in response to feedback from the Scottish Government's Making Training Better consultation in late 2011. TAs cover SCQF Level 8/9.

These higher level apprenticeships offer flexible, work-based training, as a tool for developing and up-skilling staff to meet specific business requirements.

A key difference for TA is the replacement of core skills with career skills. Core skills only go up to SCQF level 6 and employers have said that career skills should reflect the work-based requirements at a higher level. Career skills require separate certification. This will require approval from the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) for the career skills identified below. Apprentices require to be certificated for 15 credits at SCQF level 7 or above.

The career skills included in the TA frameworks are:

Unit Title

SCQF Level

SCQF Credit

Either

Or

Build and manage teams

Build Teams (Level 9 – 8 credits)

7

9

8

8

Either

Or

Provide leadership for your team

Lead your team

7

7

9

9

Either

Or

Manage Budgets

Manage Budgets

7

7

5

11

Either

Or

Allocate and monitor the progress and quality of work in your area of responsibility

Manage people’s performance at work

7

7

14

14

Communicate information and knowledge

7

3

Ensure Health and Safety requirements are met in your area of responsibility

7

11

Either

Or

Manage your own resources and professional development

Develop your knowledge, skills and competence

7

7

8

6

Either

Or

Recruit select and keep colleagues

Recruit select and retain people

9

9

12

14

Either

Or

Promote equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion in your area of responsibility

Promote equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion

8

8

10

9

Provide leadership in your area of responsibility

8

9

The career skills for the PDA Childhood Practice (SCQF level 9) are available in the Professional Development Award (PDA) Childhood Practice (SCQF Level 9) (Technical Apprenticeship) information.

The SSSC must approve all centres for the new TA frameworks and this will include evidence of approval of the career skills.

Further information

Updated forms and documents can be downloaded by clicking on the relevant document or by using our related publications further up the page.

If you have a query about the Modern Apprenticeships then please contact Joyce Hanna on 01382 207173 or email maenquiries@sssc.uk.com.

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